FIFA 09 PS3/360 Discussion Thread

[Placebo]

Gerroff!!!!!

[Placebo]

For those too young to know what the hell we're on about ;)

YouTube - Ian Rush, Accrington Stanley Milk Advert, CLEAN AND IN FULL! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pieK7b4KLL4)

[Blaccat]

Ok i am sold, loool

YouTube - Fifa 09 Ultimate Team Celebrations Tutorial - Watch in High Quality! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=umbGCZObRv8)

[adelante]

Just got off listening to EA's latest Fifa podcast and they brought up "Highlight Reel" a new feature on their footballworld site...anyone tried this out yet?

[Phat J 22]

yeah good podcast, if you post the next one here ill listen to it.

[tobi]

Accrington Stanley? Who are they?

Soccer AM joke?

[Tim7]

After watching the Ultimate Team trailer it does look very tempting... The only thing kinda putting me off is the in game boosts, such as speed boost etc. We get 5 games free as a trial don't we? So I'll see how that goes :)).

[bunsen]

Yes, 5 games as trial are free.

[Bitter Rivals]

those celebrations are cool...

[tobi]

PS3 version patch is out (32mb) but its not accessible until Sony update the store later.

[Tim7]

32MB!? Don't think so mate I think it is more in the region of 1GB.

EA Sports’ Football World community manager, Romily Broad, has revealed the upcoming FIFA 09 DLC, Ultimate Team, will be priced at 800 / $9.99 US (£7.99). For the uninformed, Ultimate Team is a fantasy soccer management mode that will allow gamers to assemble their fantasy teams by collecting virtual cards in various categories.

Footy fans should take note, this isn’t regular DLC. The content will drop as a mandatory — and free — title update on March 19 (clocking in at about 1.3GB). Gamers will receive a five match trial with the option to shell out for the full version. Mandatory 1.3GB title update?

[tobi]

I've downloaded a 32mb patch and the mode has been added to the menu in game, trophies are viewable too.

Maybe there's another download later.

[Tim7]

Oh that's weird then...

Well it's out on Xbox 360, however it isn't a mandatory update. You'll have to navigate to it via the marketplace and game add ons. Also, it is 1.62GB!

[Placebo]

So just checked my 360, there's a small title update that pops up automatically when you boot Fifa, once that's downloaded you then have a new "Ultimate Team" menu item, choose that, read the bunf then click continue and it takes you to download the actual ultimate team expansion, says it's 1.6gb

[Tim7]

Woohoo I beat the system :DD.

[Placebo]

Got Sol Campbell in my first free pack :)

My two kits are Brentford home and Helsingborg away, so "The Owls" have to play in red and white stripes :(

[mjsmith2k]

Soccer AM joke?

Yeah, but it originated from the advert Placebo posted earlier.

http://forums.evo-web.co.uk/showpost.php?p=1599616&postcount=10252

[Placebo]

Hmm so I'm just about to start my first Ultimate match, go to change controller settings, then get kicked off the EA servers and the Ultimate menu no longer works, wasn't even playing an online match FFS!

[DagsJT]

Tim is having similar problems as well, I think EA has killed the internets.

[Chris Davies]

So many people are trying to get the Ultimate Team download at once that it's causing problems with the EA servers - wasn't happening an hour ago but it's at fever pitch now. Hopefully it will be fixed by tonight.

[jonneymendoza]

why cant companies like EA learn from this? surely they would have known that millions would be downloading the DLC? couldn't they have prepared for this by renting out bigger servers or something?

[Placebo]

Yeah I was going to make the same point Jonney, so DLC is released, nobody thinks that maybe a lot of people might download and try the DLC? Aint brain surgery folks!

[DagsJT]

I never thought I'd see the day Placebo and Jonney would agree on something :SHOCK:

[Tim7]

:SHOCK:

Yeah same happened to me Placebo! I had already played 3 games though, 1 offline which I won 3-0, too easy. I'm gonna play all my games online now, you can't beat a human opponent. Next online game I won 2-0 and then drew 0-0. Unbeaten and conceeded no goals :COOL:. My goalkeeper is Charlton no 2 goalie Darren Randolph :)). I could see me taking him to the top with me and training him. I'm hooked on UT already! :LOL: I want better players, kits and balls!

[DagsJT]

I've always wanted better balls ...

[Placebo]

Is it fully working for PS3 owners yet?

[mjsmith2k]

I've always wanted better balls ...

:CONFUSE:

People have to be grateful for what they already have...... eh jay ;)

[velvetsky01]

my download is pending :( its taking ages to start!

[Jumbo_]

I'd just like to point out I knew exactly what was being referred to with the Acrington Stanley thing and was just taking the piss :D

[RockyJJP]

when will the PSN network get the update? Why do they always take forever to get stuff in the store.

[Tim7]

I wouldn't hold your breath, it's glitchy as fuck.

[YoungGun_UK]

What Ultimate Team?

[Tim7]

Yep.

[CW]

Its basically a card trading game, how could they make a mess of it?!

[Tim7]

A message from the team:

We are currently experiencing technical difficulties with our game servers. The game will be unavailable for users on both Xbox 360 and PS3. We have all hands on deck and the team is working very hard on this issue as we speak. It is our highest priority at this point. We will provide another status update @ 12pm PDT [7pm GMT].
A message from Evo Web: You're all dull cunts. Now sort it out.

:DD

[tobi]

As of 15 minutes ago the store hasn't been updated yet but I somehow managed to buy the mode in game. It's currently at 29%.

Looks like I jumped the gun.

[Tim7]

An update will be coming soon as to the status of the work going on at EA on the servers. That's an update to this thread, not to the game. Just to be clear on that.

But to reiterate, this is the top priority at EA right now and there's an awful lot of people - all around the world - whipping out Sonic Screwdrivers and crossing their beams right now in order to get it all running smoothly. Thanks for your patience while we get it sorted out.
.

[RockyJJP]

As of 15 minutes ago the store hasn't been updated yet but I somehow managed to buy the mode in game. It's currently at 29%.

Looks like I jumped the gun.

How did you manage that, doesn't it kick you back into the main menu?

[aitk3n]

mm ok, i downloaded it and when i choose to open the new mode, nothing happens, i just sitting with just the background and the like latest news bar at the button, tried twice now ¬¬

EDIT: make that 3 times..

[Tim7]

Hi everyone.

Here we go.

Firstly we apologise for these day 1 problems. As you can imagine the game has proven immensely popular and the stress it's caused the servers has been too much for now. We're not the first game to hit these type of problems, but we know we need to do better in the future and we learn from these experiences.

What will happen next is this:

1. The culprit that was straining the server has been identified and optimised.

2. We will test the fix here to ensure it's not caused a new problem

3. The game will come back on 360 initially.

4. If that proves successful, we will turn on PS3.

5. Finally at about 5am GMT / 10pm PST, we will move the hosting to new servers to add more capacity to the game to cope with the number of users.

6. If anyone is having trouble getting the game on 360, we are attempting to establish with Microsoft why this is the case. Their Partnernet service (where we test our products) was down this morning, so the problem may be related as the live service is hosted in the same physical location.

I'll provide another update within the hour.
.

[DagsJT]

At least they're keeping people updated I guess.

[tobi]

How did you manage that, doesn't it kick you back into the main menu?

An in game store came up on the screen.

[Tim7]

Believe me we are looking and doing everything we can as quickly as we can. No one is more frustrated than the game team having worked on this for the past 12 months but please be patient why we try and resolve the issue.

The game was obviously thoroughly tested but it's difficult to replicate the real world stress of millions of gamers trying to download and use the game and that is what is currently causing the issues. Many MMO type games have had similar 1st day problems and it seems we are suffering likewise.

Glad to hear that those gamers who did manage to connect while the servers were up loved the game, hopefully we’ll get things ironed out soon and everyone (including myself!) can get online and start playing.

Thanks
Mat
.

[DagsJT]

1pm Update:

1. The fix has been made, and is in the final stages of being tested.

2. Then this needs to be propagated out to the live environment.

3. Service should resume within the hour on one platform. We will see which platform we can bring back quickest.

4. Once we're confident the fix is working in the live environment, we'll bring back the other console.

Regarding the confusion on my last post. The 10pm PST / 5am GMT change does not mean the game will only come back then, it means at that time we will take the game down briefly (it's the quietest time of the day) and move the hosting to some new servers.

Working now on PS3 apparantly.

[Tim7]

Hopefully 360 will be back up after the Citeh game :)). I'm going to hammer it tonight if it's working.

[Placebo]

Nice to hear the new commentary, having not bought the UEFA commentary pack is it the same or is it new for Ultimate? Would be nice if you can use it in MM if you buy the DLC, that would make it a certain buy for me.

[RockyJJP]

Working now on PS3 apparantly.

You sure ?. I just checked, nothing on

[DagsJT]

2pm Update:

Thank you all for waiting, your patience is most appreciated.


We understand your frustrations and rest assured, we have been working very hard on getting the game back up.

The team has fixed and tested the critical fixes. The load on the server appears to be much more manageable, but we need you to fully prove this out.

We have brought the PS3 server back online first, it is now live.

Expect to hear from us again within the hour on whether we can then do the same for X360.

Happy gaming and thanks for your continued support

.

[Placebo]

Just tried it and nice blank screen, can't even get back to the menu, only way out is to quit the game, pretty crappy :(

[CW]

They said the 360 would be back up first, LIARS!!

[DagsJT]

Supposedly working on 360 now.

[Tim7]

I can confirm it's working :)). Much faster and no lag changing cards about etc.

Is there a maximum number of cards you can have at a time?

[Placebo]

Yeah working for me too, playing my first league match, with P.Statham 27 as CM :)

[Tim7]

I didn't bother creating a player.

[Placebo]

I thought maybe there'd be some advantage to it so I did, it created at 64 so was better than all the other players I was given anyways (Sol Campbell excepted), scored the 3rd goal in a 3-1 on my debut :)

[Tim7]

UT is down again! Not that it matters because XBL is screwed and you can't add any points to buy UT! Total shambles of a day.

[DagsJT]

People are now saying it's back but they've lost their teams :SHOCK:

EA have fucked today up good and proper.

[Chris Davies]

Please don't say I've lost my team...

EDIT: It's still there, thank God.

[Trezegol17]

downloaded the ultimate team on ps 3 but i can´t play ......why???

[StayingPower]

I've started playing BAP again, and I find at a lot more fun when I turn off the points bar and the indicators. I no longer worry about doing things just to keep my rating high and I enjoy myself, but at the end of the game I still have a high rating. I recommend turning them off.:TU:

[RockyJJP]

still nothing in my PSN store. Anyone else got the same problem?

[bunsen]

In Ultimate Team Mode is it possible to play a Online Match against somebody on my friends list? I could not find this option.

[Tim7]

No it's not. Random opponents only.

[kamy100]

I am actually thinking of buying, I have never bought anything of xbox live before (came close to buying lost and the damned), so does anyone know where one would go to buy some cheap xbox live points, looking to buy 800 or 1000 points if that is possible.

[bunsen]

Thx :WORSHIP:

I would like to have such an option :DOH:

[Tim7]

Yeah, but sadly some people would use it to cheat.

[CW]

I am actually thinking of buying, I have never bought anything of xbox live before (came close to buying lost and the damned), so does anyone know where one would go to buy some cheap xbox live points, looking to buy 800 or 1000 points if that is possible.

Dags pointed me towards this place yesterday and from other sites their feedback seems decent

Irons Den (http://www.theironsden.co.uk/acatalog/XBox_360_1600_Points_Card.html)

[Placebo]

Dags pointed me towards this place yesterday and from other sites their feedback seems decent

Irons Den (http://www.theironsden.co.uk/acatalog/XBox_360_1600_Points_Card.html)

Shit they don't do digital delivery for outside the UK :(

Would anyone be willing to get 1600 points via your UK credit card and I'll pay you via Paypal? :)

[Vindaloo]

pm sent Placebo

[Placebo]

Haven't received a PM :(

[Vindaloo]

sorry, that was a little lie, i meant 'about to' send pm :)

[Placebo]

No worries, got it in the end :)

[Vindaloo]

I've wanted to get some for a while now, but the question is, what do I use the 1600 points for?

Fifa card swapping thingy
GTA lost and damned whatsamacallit
peggle/bomberman type stuff

[Bitter Rivals]

i played my second game online with my highest rated player of 64 who was my created player

came across some team, and his team was a 5 star team, mine 1 star i think and his players, just to name a few

pirlo, galas, lucio, camronesi, luis fabiano, fred, basically all top players in every position

ridiculous lol

[Placebo]

Thanks to Vindaloo for hooking me up with some points :)


For anyone not in a huge rush for digital delivery, this looks a bargain:

http://www.7dayshop.com/catalog/product_info.php?products_id=105392

2100 Points - Special Price £14.84 Delivered

[Placebo]

i played my second game online with my highest rated player of 64 who was my created player

came across some team, and his team was a 5 star team, mine 1 star i think and his players, just to name a few

pirlo, galas, lucio, camronesi, luis fabiano, fred, basically all top players in every position

ridiculous lol

Doesn't it pit you against teams of equal stars? That's really shite otherwise. Chris was saying the new cheap tactic is people creating their created player at 7ft tall and crossing to him all the time :(

[Placebo]

Why is it out of 24 players 20 of them are always defenders? :(

I keep restarting until I get a Sheffield Wednesday player (or at least a very interesting silver player) and I'm finding that 80% of the players you get each time are defenders which at least 10 CBs, really not "random" :(

[Tim7]

Spammer ;)).

[Chris Davies]

Great game mode but I remember why I stopped playing online now (not that I forgot). Everyone plays on fully assisted, they just hammer the pass button and they can go from defence to attack and score so easily.

They don't even clear balls in their own box, they just pass them out, and it always goes to a free man who can pass to a free striker who can shove the defenders away and score.

Everybody, absolutely everybody, plays the exact same way. Not EA's fault I know, you get this in every game. If it wasn't for single-player games I really wouldn't be a gamer any more, it's just an absolute waste of time for anyone looking for a fair game online (or a realistic game of football online). :(

[jonneymendoza]

TBH chris, some find it way to difficult to pass on manual using a analogue stick, plus people want to play games for fun, not to be all serious and try and play it like in real life and take off all the assists etc.

You may feel that its easy to score on assist but imo its not. you do make it sound as if all i got to do is pass a couple of times in assist and just dribble and push aside a defender and score. its not that easy, i wish it was but its not otherwise you would see alot of high scoring games using this flaw.

what makes this game hard is that when your one on one with the keeper, its not always guarantee you will score even on assist. you just got to read up on countless number of people asking advice on how to score one on one to see for yourself

[BobbyBox]

TBH chris, some find it way to difficult to pass on manual using a analogue stick, plus people want to play games for fun, not to be all serious and try and play it like in real life and take off all the assists etc.

You may feel that its easy to score on assist but imo its not. you do make it sound as if all i got to do is pass a couple of times in assist and just dribble and push aside a defender and score. its not that easy, i wish it was but its not otherwise you would see alot of high scoring games using this flaw.

what makes this game hard is that when your one on one with the keeper, its not always guarantee you will score even on assist. you just got to read up on countless number of people asking advice on how to score one on one to see for yourself

Bollucks! its very easy to score on assisted.

[Chris Davies]

You may feel that its easy to score on assist but imo its not. you do make it sound as if all i got to do is pass a couple of times in assist and just dribble and push aside a defender and score. its not that easy
How come that's exactly what has happened to me then, four games out of six that I've played since last night? It is that easy, at least if you play someone like me who is stupid enough to use semi-assisted controls in an effort to "play fair".

Sorry Jonney but as far as I'm concerned, anyone who wants that kind of football has Pro Evo. FIFA should never be like that. But if EA want to give you the choice, fine; just as long as they give me the choice of not having to play against these people.

When it comes up with the team's star rating it should come up underneath that, "PASSING: AUTO, CROSSING: AUTO, SHOOTING: AUTO" etc. so that I could automatically press CANCEL and look for somebody else to play. I'd rather bang my head on the desk until my ears bleed than play another game involving so little input from the other player.

[CW]

When it comes up with the team's star rating it should come up underneath that, "PASSING: AUTO, CROSSING: AUTO, SHOOTING: AUTO" etc. so that I could automatically press CANCEL and look for somebody else to play. I'd rather bang my head on the desk until my ears bleed than play another game involving so little input from the other player.

I like that idea, can we pitch that one to EA?

[BobbyBox]

I like that idea, can we pitch that one to EA?

It should definately be in - It can't be that hard to do?! also they need to make sure people can't change it back to assisted while in game.

[Coopz]

also they need to make sure people can't change it back to assisted while in game.

They have done that already

if your in a fully manual match you cant change

[BobbyBox]

They have done that already

if your in a fully manual match you cant change

But they need to do it generally - like if you choose a combination of semi and manual etc then you can't change it.

[stilts1844]

So it seems like a great mode so far but.... we can't edit our base formations? Really? Can't change arrows or work rate? Is this just because they couldn't incorporate the chemistry into this? There's always something important tactically missing and I dont get it... especially for a mode so deep! Please someone tell me they've been able to work out how to do this....

[jonneymendoza]

How come that's exactly what has happened to me then, four games out of six that I've played since last night? It is that easy, at least if you play someone like me who is stupid enough to use semi-assisted controls in an effort to "play fair".

Sorry Jonney but as far as I'm concerned, anyone who wants that kind of football has Pro Evo. FIFA should never be like that. But if EA want to give you the choice, fine; just as long as they give me the choice of not having to play against these people.

When it comes up with the team's star rating it should come up underneath that, "PASSING: AUTO, CROSSING: AUTO, SHOOTING: AUTO" etc. so that I could automatically press CANCEL and look for somebody else to play. I'd rather bang my head on the desk until my ears bleed than play another game involving so little input from the other player.

even if they give you the choice to play only manual players, i doubt you will encounter many of those types of players because lets face it. 80-90% of people who play fifa are all auto players.


EA cannot force people to use manual either otherwise the game wont appeal to many people and will just piss off auto users who will probably go back and play pro evo.

EA care about money first and foremost and they will create a game that appeals to more people.

[jonneymendoza]

But they need to do it generally - like if you choose a combination of semi and manual etc then you can't change it.
that would just confused and split the "players" even more imo. you got a better chance of finding someone on full on manual then someone who pass on full manual but the rest on assist for example

[Tim7]

Like CB said in the podcast, the search option should be "Semi or lower". That would suit me fine :)).

Oh and jonney, assisted is easy and for noobs, and if you are using it you should really be ashamed.

[BobbyBox]

that would just confused and split the "players" even more imo. you got a better chance of finding someone on full on manual then someone who pass on full manual but the rest on assist for example

No it wouldn't - for instance I could do a search on anybody that has just shooting on semi and the rest I don't care about. Then everybody that uses shooting on semi (or manual) would connect to me.

Also with your other point made to chris. It would work, as many people play on Manual but not fully. The people that do play on manual/semi don't give a shit about the 90% (of people on assisted) anyway so it would make no difference. It would just mean we had more chance of finding a game with somebody that uses anything but assisted shooting!!

Introducing a better search for manual/semi players would not be hard and would not stop anybody playing it or confuse people etc it would jsut make in more accessable.

[Placebo]

So it seems like a great mode so far but.... we can't edit our base formations? Really? Can't change arrows or work rate? Is this just because they couldn't incorporate the chemistry into this? There's always something important tactically missing and I dont get it... especially for a mode so deep! Please someone tell me they've been able to work out how to do this....

You can use custom formations once the match has started (I use my edited MM formation which has my CBs pulled right back to avoid 1v1) so create your nice formation outside of the Ultimate team and once saved it'll show up for use :)

Two annoying bugs so far, one much worse than the other:

1. I start UT, create myself, play the first match, I scored 2 and made 1, got man of the match, after the match go buy a player (Steve Watson) go to put him in the lineup and see that my created player now no longer exists at all, nice :(

2. The ticker keeps resetting and showing me the scores/news from last night's European matches, I go turn off the ticker, save my profile, but still it keeps coming back :(

[DagsJT]

The EA servers are shite. Trying to buy a player from the trade list is a joke as it takes something like 30 seconds just for it to load the players, then having to wait 5-10 seconds while you switch players and it has to load the new data.

Just so laggy and slow.

Considering the Manager Mode hardly has injuries, I'm seeing at least one a game so far as well, and for up to six games as well.

[Tim7]

Yeah Dags they have really upped the injuries, frequency and length in UT. The trading stuff is absolutely shite I agree. Too slow. Servers are down again now anyway :LOL:.

[Rob92]

I won't be bothering with Ultimate team for these reasons;

The AI is shite for offline games
99% of people online are all-assisted cunts

So both offline and online, I think it'd just be frustration and nothing else, not worth my time or money.

[StuartCulli]

I can't even download the bloody thing. Stuck on 54%

[StuartCulli]

Oh, and someone's got up Rob's nose I see ;)

[mjsmith2k]

Oh and jonney, assisted is easy and for noobs, and if you are using it you should really be ashamed.

I don't get that. If you play all manual or manual/semi then that's fine, I get the fact that you want more realism in-game and the controls provide that accuracy etc etc but I don't think anyone should be 'ashamed' simply for picking a setting they feel comfortable with. After all that's why we play games isn't it, for fun.

This isn't just at you Tim, but I wish people would stop banging on about settings, I think it says more about their insecurities as it does anything else.

I pledge we put an end to this settings war.

[Tim7]

I was fine to leave it, but it's when people, as jonney did in this instance, says "Oh, it's not easier on assisted etc". Yes it fucking is. You don't aim passes, you don't judge power in passes, you don't aim shots, you don't aim crosses. You're literally just pressing buttons in a certain order, pass, pass, pass, shoot, goal. Boring.

[velvetsky01]

how do you use the created player as captain card? i didnt have time to do it this morning and now i cant seem to find it!

HELP :)

[Placebo]

The AI is shite for offline games


Disagree, AI is much better than in MM and has definitely been improved, especially in how the AI attack me, they really seem to think about what they're doing, if I defend deep they try short passes around my defence, if I push my defence up high they try to play longer balls over the top, all in much more subtle and realistic ways than the equivalent skill level on MM, they also don't play cheap, they pass it around well but also make mistakes, I'm seeing more variations in how teams play as well compared to MM, subtle but quite clear improvements, I just wish the mode wasn't broken by bugs, haven't even got to any cups yet but apparently they're completely messed up, for myself I've had my created player delete itself about 4 times, and after every match the ticker settings are resetting and showing football news that I don't want to see, not an important bug but it's one of a very long list for a small piece of DLC.

Not to mention how completely useless the kit/badge searching system is, all you can specify is gold/silver bronze, if you want for example Sheffield Wednesday's home kit, you presumably guess it's in silver, then scroll through 15 items x 80 pages to see if the kit is there, with a 3 or 4 second paused between every one of those 1200 separate items, great if anyone has a couple of hours they want to kill......

[Placebo]

how do you use the created player as captain card? i didnt have time to do it this morning and now i cant seem to find it!

HELP :)

Can't remember what it's called but there's a menu entry like "team creation" or something and you choose "edit player" in there, be warned though there's a good chance your created player will delete itself randomly.

[liger05]

Hey whats the deal with the new mode? Is it worth getting?

[Placebo]

Hey whats the deal with the new mode? Is it worth getting?

Right now? No.
If they fix all the bugs/glitches? 100% yes.

[jonneymendoza]

I was fine to leave it, but it's when people, as jonney did in this instance, says "Oh, it's not easier on assisted etc". Yes it fucking is. You don't aim passes, you don't judge power in passes, you don't aim shots, you don't aim crosses. You're literally just pressing buttons in a certain order, pass, pass, pass, shoot, goal. Boring.
but i wasnt the first to moan about assisted players. i dont want to go in this debate again as me and you will just be copying and pasting the same shit we said a few months ago about it.

end this shit and you and others stop moaning about assisted this and assisted that. No matter how much you complain, fifa09 aint going to grant you and others there wish on this subject. you cant do fuck all about it and you are going to have to wait until fifa10 for your wishes to come true if EA are listening.

Pointless complaining about it. either put up with assisted players online or go play offline

[Tim7]

Stop saying assisted isn't easy then ;)).

[jonneymendoza]

Stop saying assisted isn't easy then ;)).
manual is for noobs ;)

[CW]

manual is for noobs ;)

Assisted is for nobs :BOP:

[Morto10]

I think ea should add ingame perks or some sort of bonuses for using semi or manual so then assisted players might try using it to get the perks and then keep using semi or manual because i'd say 90% of people dont even know its there. Something like this might add alot more semi or manual players cause im sick of playing against people on assisted but know there is nothing i can do. All my friends use assisted and its purely because they don't no its there.

[Placebo]

I mentioned this to Chris earlier today, I was disappointed that you don't get any bonus for playing UT matches on manual controls, you only get a bonus for playing at a higher skill level :(

[Tim7]

Yeah I said that in the Chatbox earlier Placebo. Like they have difficulty multiplier, (which should also be higher than bloody professional when you play online), they should have control multipliers, so for assisted +%0, for semi +%50 and for manual +%100. That would be much much better.

Lost my first UT online league match earlier! Was at home against a 3 star team, but I played it like a normal game and went for it, made enough chances of my own but the difference was clear in that his players could finish their chances and mine couldn't. I will play it more defensive against a bigger team next time I come across one :)).

[Placebo]

Yeah I said that in the Chatbox earlier Placebo.


Don't read that sorry, people post football spoilers :(

[tobi]

Since the update my custom team tactics have disappeared, has this happened to anyone else?

[YoungGun_UK]

Im already loving this mode, reminds me of a ML online, especially looking to buy players,coaches etc. went to have a look and your completely priced out for the top players (and the best players in the world arent even up for sale)Played a few people and it definetly seemed for "fair" than a normal ranked match for some reason. Think its cause of 1/2 Star teams.

Overall this mode seems very deep and with a bit of imagination (instead of seeing them as cards and look at them as players/coaches) I think it will be a huge hit. :))

EDIT: Just read Chris's Overview on it and completely agree.

[DagsJT]

Anyone else find the CPU is amazing at corners? I can beat the CPU 50/50 for every other header but when it comes to corners, the CPU gets the ball at least 80% of the time I'd say. Any tips for stopping it?

Also getting annoyed with 1-star teams spraying diagonal balls across the field inch perfect over the defence.

And for my last moan ... yes there wasn't enough injuries in MM. So what do they do? Guaranteed at least one injury each game in UT now :BRICK: And every game my striker takes a knock as well.

[mjsmith2k]

About 8/10 they angle the corner towards the centre. So grab your nearest man and mark up his player directly in the front of the centre. I hardly ever concede from corners with this tactic. It may also be worth moving someone towards the back post if you have chance, because if the ball is crossed to the back post you can forget your keeper coming out and getting it.

Also, try holding L2/LT while you header I feel I have more control over the header and I can move my man towards the header and muscle out other players. Oh and to head the ball away try pressing the pass button to clear it rather than say the shoot/cross button, you have more control over it.

[DagsJT]

Cheers MJ :TU:

Anyone know why some players have exclamation marks flashing next to them when searching for new players? He doesn't have a Buy Now price and has ages left on his bid as well.

[StuartCulli]

Opponent 0 - CulliPro XI 3
Cullington 3

CulliPro XI 2 - Opponent 0 (Quit after 70 minutes)
Cullington 2

CulliPro XI 2 - Opponent 0 (Quit after 2nd goal)
Cullington 2

Cullington is my only scorer :LOL:

:D

[DagsJT]

Ohhh that could be the solution to my striking problems, create my player as a striker!

[StuartCulli]

Nooo!! :CRY: That was absolutely heart-breaking. My 1 star team versus someone's 4 and a half star in a tournament. Bellend FC (I know...) Went 0-0 into the break after I shut him out and slowly built. After 50 minutes, I found a way through and Cullington slotted home. Oh my word, I was ecstatic! Then he levelled it 20 minutes later. Completely undeserved and harsh. So then he takes the lead :CURSE:. Absolutely livid at this point. From a ball that bounced to his striker after I cleared into the back of another player. I plugged away and in the 88th minute I grabbed an equaliser! Lovely football up to the edge to my CM who slotted one past the keeper at an angle. I forgot to celebrate it was that exciting. I took him to extra time and in the 2nd period of extra time, I hit the post :BLINK:. From that attack he runs up the pitch with his winger, plays a ball into his striker who slots it home. 118th miunute. Agony :CRY:

[Chris Davies]

Anyone know why some players have exclamation marks flashing next to them when searching for new players? He doesn't have a Buy Now price and has ages left on his bid as well.
Well with players in my own team the flashing exclamation means they only have one game left on their contract, so I'd assume it's that!

[DagsJT]

So many bugs in UT, really sloppy. I've managed to have the same player playing in my team, as well as finish a match and earn 470 points only for them not to actually be given to me (even though the match has been recorded).

EA should be ashamed of themselves for this UT fiasco with the servers, lag on menus and general bugs.

[nerf]

Anyone else find the CPU is amazing at corners? I can beat the CPU 50/50 for every other header but when it comes to corners, the CPU gets the ball at least 80% of the time I'd say. Any tips for stopping it?
In addition to what mj said, at corners I always find that one of my giant centre-backs is assigned to the front post :DOH:. This is always a waste, he's likely to be one of the strongest in the team at winning headers. I quickly select him, move him off the post and go and manually mark the most threatening attacker in the centre.

[hitmanuk]

a what point do you pay for the UT download? I went onto PS3 store this morning and it said free. I have downloaded the full package and played 3 online games..when will it ask me to pay for it??

[Chris Davies]

After five games, or when you try to put a card up for trade and set your price.

[Placebo]

Also getting annoyed with 1-star teams spraying diagonal balls across the field inch perfect over the defence.


I only get this happening when I push up to attack and they use it as a counterattack strategy, I use one of my edited MM formations with my 2 CB's pulled right back and the AI has far less space to drop the ball into so they have to try to play it around in front of my defence, try it yourself, edit the formation outside of UT in the team management part, save it, then play a UT match with that formation and your attacking emphasis set to defensive.

Also, try holding L2/LT while you header I feel I have more control over the header and I can move my man towards the header and muscle out other players. Oh and to head the ball away try pressing the pass button to clear it rather than say the shoot/cross button, you have more control over it.

Yep exactly, I win far more headers these days since I learned to use super cancel to position the player myself before jumping for the header, if my player is behind the opponent I super cancel and move him forward to push the AI player out of position, if he's in front I back into the AI player to push him out of position, great tactic to win headers, even if my player is shorter than the AI player he often pushes/backs in enough to unsettle the AI player so he doesn't win the header cleanly.

a what point do you pay for the UT download? I went onto PS3 store this morning and it said free. I have downloaded the full package and played 3 online games..when will it ask me to pay for it??

5 matches for free.

[TikTikTikTikTik]

Wasnt this mode for the UCL game bug-ridden aswell?

[YoungGun_UK]

Hopefully they release a patch. Otherwise its just fantastic, can see why Dags rated it :))

[Skylight]

They have done that already

if your in a fully manual match you cant change

fail

1. there is only a fully manual restriction, if want to have only semi shooting you will also have to play against fully assisted kiddies

2. because of number 1, it is hardly possible to find a manual match

3. there is no way of matching semi assisted players

[Blaccat]

I got Diabyyyyyyyyyyyyyy :BOP::BOP:

i love this DLC, only if they could just get it all stabilised

Ppl trading pls use some sense, 3500 coins buy now for a 66 player

Are u dizzy


got maluoda too

[Placebo]

Wasnt this mode for the UCL game bug-ridden aswell?

Not that I remember it was completely stable IIRC.

Doh just got the Tranmere home kit and Chris' offline :(

[kevano22]

Hey does anyone know if we can search each others trade pile?

I am really enjoying each match. Dominating but cannot finish for love mor money. Really looking forward to getting some quality strikers in.

Just signed Robinson for in goal my highest rated player with 82 :D

Im having trouble finding my created player...cant see him anywhere...any ideas guys?

[stilts1844]

Thanks for that formation workaround Placebo, seems kind of silly that it has to be done that way but at least it's there... :)

[Placebo]

Im having trouble finding my created player...cant see him anywhere...any ideas guys?

Common bug.

I just started a new UT, created my player, put him in the lineup, quite UT, loaded UT again, created player was gone, when to the creation option and he showed up again :)

[Chris Davies]

My player has just vanished, went into the "creation centre" as Placebo suggested and it would only let me start from scratch, so I switched the 360 off - no way do I want to do that.

Switched it back on again to try again - EA servers are down.

It's not going well for them is it?

[matt1288]

It's bollocks, they better fix it soon as I'm getting very impatient.

[StuartCulli]

Mine's sped up in menus drastically now :D

[Placebo]

Other people are telling me the servers are dead in the UK, running perfect here, searching and such is really fast.

EA's forums are also fucked BTW.

[kevano22]

Interesting and exciting news.

Hope theyre back on by end of the night I would like to put a nice squad together and build of Robinson from in goal :)

[YoungGun_UK]

My best player is Gilberto Silva. I dont get it once you get better players do you get more points for wins? seems like by the time i make the money to buy a Silver/Gold pack I will have lost all my players to their contracts.

[Blaccat]

Malouda is crap, who wants to trade?

GK or Striker

[kevano22]

poor form ea.

every game im winning people are quttion and i get NO coins or NO points...how are they doing this?

[quiet_riot]

I've just been playing MM (sorry to interrupt the UT chat!), and I'm currently 16th in League 1, trouble is, when the league table comes up during the intro to a match, it's completely different, I'm 6th! And it's doesn't reflect the actual table at all!

Also, when the commentary team comes up, it says
FREE AGENT
Martin Tyler
Andy Gray

[Placebo]

Yep same here.

[StuartCulli]

This is getting silly now :LOL: I won the first round in an Online tournament 4-2 and went to start a 2nd game. After a few of them quit out before we'd started, I finally got a game. We both ready up in the menus and we get into the arena. It takes forever and ever to load (to the extent the bar in the top left hasn't even appeared yet). Eventually, I get a disc read error. I'm gonna have to rent Fifa and install to my HDD to avoid this. The console loads the game normally just fine. It just won't install to the HDD.

[The Doctor76]

And it feels ridiculous that say 5 games before the end of the season you win a game and become champion but your players just celebrate like a normal win...

Just hope EA don't change the gameplay to much with all those kids crying on the official forum that they want the arcade Fifa back... Makes me want to puke.

Just got Fifa 09 on PS3, it doesn't need touching at all gameplay wise. The feel is spot on, as are the ball physics. I am disgusted with EA. If this is what they're capbable of, then why is the PC version of Fifa 09 a mere shadow of this game?

Why the hell has Be A Pro only got four seasons, compared to PES 09 BAL's full football career?

[pboreham]

OK, I'm intrigued... whats 'UT' and why is everyone on my friend list playing it!?

Do you actually play matches,or is it just a trading card game, is it multi or single player and is it worth picking up fifa again to play it?

[matt1288]

I played my second game, against a team who had Tevez, Modric, Eto and everything and all I had was shitty unknown players.

[CW]

OK, I'm intrigued... whats 'UT' and why is everyone on my friend list playing it!?

Do you actually play matches,or is it just a trading card game, is it multi or single player and is it worth picking up fifa again to play it?

Ultimate Team is what everyone is playing at the moment.

Its a trading card game where you play matches to improve the cards you get and therefore the players you have. You can play the matches offline or online and there are also tournaments to take part in.

Whether you want to pick up FIFA again just for this mode is your call, for now everyone is playing it and it looks like its gonna be a grower

[DagsJT]

I played my second game, against a team who had Tevez, Modric, Eto and everything and all I had was shitty unknown players.

Just quit out when you see their team is rated with 5 stars compared to your 1 star team. Do they seriously expect people to take ass-whoopings with such differences in team strengths? When I've played online I'll keep quitting out of the team selection until I get a team on a similar level to mine.

[CW]

This from the Admin team over at the EA Forums...

Latest Update: Sunday March 22, 6:27am GMT

For FIFA Ultimate Team on the 360, a fix for the slow response times people are experiencing on the trading screen and team management has been deployed and is live.

Personally I am finding the speed has increased to an acceptable level, so we look forward to the news from Europe in the morning.

Additionally a problem with EA Locker has been fixed. This should fix the created player problem. My played reappeared when I went to the creation zone. It may also fix some other problems that have been reported.

We hope the server has now stabalised which will mean we can go after the bugs people have been encountering.

As ever continue to update us in the various threads setup, and we will continue to attack problems being found that prevent users experiencing the game as it was designed.

Good to see that they are taking this seriously

[DagsJT]

Wow, it's MILES quicker!

[CW]

If only my points had fucking come...

[kamy100]

This is the difference between EA and Konami. EA had a problem with their online game and servers and they fixed it within 4 days. Konami has had a problem with online since the launch of PES2009 and they are yet to fix it.

[DagsJT]

Great, my first match since this server update has crashed FIFA as soon as the whistle blew. Sound is still going but picture has frozen :ROLL:

And then my screen dimmed. What the fuck EA?

[Placebo]

This from the Admin team over at the EA Forums...


A serious well done for managing to find that post, every time I try to visit the EA forums of late I get 400 Bad Request, shocking, absolutely shocking, 4 days that have massively harmed the fantastic work they've been doing over the past couple of years :(

[matt1288]

My trial just ran out for fucks sake! I have to wait for ages now since I gotta order points from Canada!

[Placebo]

Just get them off Ebay, get the code within a couple of hours.

[matt1288]

I'll have a look now mate, cheers.

Just had a look, could only find points from the USA!

[Bitter Rivals]

what i find annoying is when you get more players and stick some in the trade pile, and you find your trade pile is full and you are left with cards you have to swap out with your current ones or discard them, either way your losing cards

it would be better to be able to access your trade pile from that option screen and then discard the lesser crap you have in the trade pile, but you cannot do this

so i am trying to stay on top of my trade pile before getting any more packs because you can potentially lose some trading cards

i am now getting rid of all my crap incase, but still that option should still be there

also i have picked up some good players now, but its hard to string a pass as there chemistry is very low lol

difficult to get the right blend, how much you think i should be looking for gerrard (89), obi mikel(82) and pandev(82) for trade?

i would rather make alot more coins to play with, tinker than having super heros in the team

[Placebo]

If you need "Canadian" points surely they'd be the same ones as US points? There's usually a couple of deals floating around for a reasonable price on US points

[matt1288]

I'm not sure, you could be right but I will go check now if points from the US work for Canadians.

Edit: Just read this

the 1600 and 4000 points works only for US account, and the 1400 and 2800 points works only for Canadian account.

Edit Again:

http://www.maximuscards.com/cadpoints.php

This site sells Canadian points, I'll dig up some background on the site and I'll probably order from them if they accept paypal.

[StuartCulli]

Absolutely gutted. Reached the final in the first tournament. Winning on manual/semi controls. Only to reach some fully assisted cunt in the final who beat me 2-0. Assisted needs to be taken out now.

[CW]

Absolutely gutted. Reached the final in the first tournament. Winning on manual/semi controls. Only to reach some fully assisted cunt in the final who beat me 2-0. Assisted needs to be taken out now.

Assisted will always be there Stu but imo it shouldnt be the default settings

[BobbyBox]

The commentary seems a bit different? they seem to say a few different things and get more excited when I get near the goal and have a chance?

I may just be imagining it :DD

[Scorpio]

Assisted will always be there Stu but imo it shouldnt be the default settings

I've got the same problem as you guys, allways play semi and it's totally unfair when you come against some kid who plays fully assisted.

It would probably be a simple thing to do for EA to put game searching for Semi controled games in, they allready included the manual one...

[Scorpio]

The commentary seems a bit different? they seem to say a few different things and get more excited when I get near the goal and have a chance?

I may just be imagining it :DD

Doesn't Ultimate Team have the 2nd english commentary guys Andy Townsend and Clive Tyldesley? Or did I dream it...

[Placebo]

It does but the question is whether it's copy and paste from UEFA or if there's new stuff in there? Considering some stuff about it being a hotch potch team of players stuck together etc. there is definitely some that's new.

[Jumbo_]

Paul, if I dont like that pack I get given at the start if I restart my 360 will it give me a new pack?

[CW]

Chris, if I dont like that pack I get given at the start if I restart my 360 will it give me a new pack?

You can delete your team in one of the sub-menus and start again with a new deck ;)

[Rob92]

Something like on TLAD where you can set options like friendly fire and auto-aim in the online settings would be good, so you never get matched up with people who use the settings you don't want to play with/against when searching for a quick match.

I said before, there are too many assisted twats for me to consider buying this DLC, and I seem to have been proven right judging by some of the posts in this thread...
The off-pitch stuff can be good but if when you get to play a match you only have the AI (which is too easy on Professional, too hard on World Class) or the typical online assisted twat to play... No thanks.

[drekkard]

Id oagree totally with Rob, and my "demo" matches confirmed that. I despise playing against auto twats.

[Placebo]

You can delete your team in one of the sub-menus and start again with a new deck ;)

Exactly, I did it about 50 times until I finally gave up trying to get a Sheffield Wednesday player, I did get a good silver goalkeeper though so went with that.

[Placebo]

So it seems the EA forums work fine with IE but not Firefox, weird......

[pepper63]

I played some twat who had a 5* team with Drogba,Henry,Senna,and just about every star you could think of,and with all of that in his favour the monkies cunt was still playing on auto..against a team 1+half star?? Silly twat.

[Placebo]

Anyone recognise the pic?

http://img19.imageshack.us/img19/7527/whothatbe.jpg

Because it sure doesn't look like Sean McAllister of Sheffield Wednesday to me :(

http://www.swfc.co.uk/javaImages/a/47/0,,10304~3557130,00.jpg
http://img297.imageshack.us/img297/2789/seanmcallister.jpg
http://img72.imageshack.us/img72/2796/seanmcallistert.jpg

[Placebo]

I played some twat who had a 5* team with Drogba,Henry,Senna,and just about every star you could think of,and with all of that in his favour the monkies cunt was still playing on auto..against a team 1+half star?? Silly twat.

Welcome to online Fifa, tis why I only play offline.......

[Blaccat]

Is it possible to use more than one gameplay card in a match without cancelling the first one?


Also some ppl have guests on, watch out for that

[Placebo]

Is it possible to use more than one gameplay card in a match without cancelling the first one?


No idea, cheating sucks IMO, whether EA implemented it or not, I just put my gameplay cards up for trade.

[kevano22]

I hope they add things to this mode if they are going to implement it into the new series...

1) Viewing your friends trade pile
2) Setting your games up to play semi or less
3) Searching via buy it now, rating, in general more options.
4) Create leagues to play in, and cups

[Blaccat]

FUCK EA and Its entire staff

Incompetent buffoons

Winning a fianl 4-2 and no trophy

bcos of a shitty server

[Placebo]

EA forums still not working for me with Firefox, yet they work with IE, weird :(

[Leo]

EA forums still not working for me with Firefox, yet they work with IE, weird :(

Try to clean out all cookies and cache etc. in FF, solved my problems once when I had the same problem with another site.

[Blaccat]

No idea, cheating sucks IMO, whether EA implemented it or not, I just put my gameplay cards up for trade.
I will only use it if my opponent does, which is like 90% of the time

[pboreham]

just got fifa on the 360 again - played a friendly and it is better than I remember (and dare I say, better than on PS3 - though i am playing on a bigger and nicer set up with my 360 than the PS3).

Anyway, hope to get back involved with some BAP with you guys and also just downloading the UT - though it is going slooooooow...

Can we swap cards in UT with each other? How does it work, do you win virtual money to buy the card packs with??

See y'all online soon!

[Chris Davies]

Someone, please give me some advice before I throw my Xbox out the window. I'm getting really frustrated now, I'm going to give myself a hemorrhage.

Everyone you play against is fully-assisted; I understand you can't get around that. But when they make their two passes from defence to attack, my defensive line is ALWAYS - no exaggeration - on the half-way line. They pass around them and run the length of the half to score a tap-in.

I've tried purposefully setting the defensive line to 99, to catch them offside, and it doesn't work. I've tried setting the defensive line to 1 so that they stay back as far as the goalkeeper, yet there's STILL STUCK THERE ON THE HALF-WAY LINE!

What do I do? Do I keep trying to play them offside or is there a way I can get them to stay back full-stop (I've tried setting aggression etc. to the lowest setting but it doesn't seem to make any difference)?

[StayingPower]

Have you tried moving them back in the actual formation?

[Chris Davies]

What should I try, moving the CBs back or the whole back four?

Do I move the strikers forward as well so that they're always there?

This is why I asked, I've got no idea and I get the feeling they're all using the same tactics (i.e. glitches)...

[StayingPower]

I wouldn't know, I've never tried it before since I don't really play online. I think Placebo has made custom formations with a deep backline though.

[kevano22]

Play a sweeper. Or control one of your CBs and jockey with him, whilst you get the other CB to press. They try that tactic almost every match chris you just gotta find your way of dealing with it. I find the sweeper way helps a lot. I never play for offside.

[Placebo]

What should I try, moving the CBs back or the whole back four?

Do I move the strikers forward as well so that they're always there?

This is why I asked, I've got no idea and I get the feeling they're all using the same tactics (i.e. glitches)...

Can you load custom formations during the match in online? In offline you can so I have custom formations I use in my club matches :)

[Placebo]

An optimisation to the database is being tested now to speed up the trading screens... Thanks for the helpful feedback!12 minutes ago from TwitterFon

http://twitter.com/EARom

[frangoitia]

I want to have the possibility to play in the same season, the premier league, the fa cup and the champions league. You cant do this in Fifa 09, can you ?

[Nick Cave]

I want to have the possibility to play in the same season, the premier league, the fa cup and the champions league. You cant do this in Fifa 09, can you ?
Yep if you are top four in the Prem... :SMUG: Plus the League cup too, it's just as you would in real life, or the UEFA if your top 6, just the CL name differs... :PIRATE:

[StuartCulli]

After feeling like a cunt having bought a few packs off the marketplace, I deleted that team and started fresh. I'm so glad I did :) Played 8, won 6 drew 1 and lost 1. Awesome stuff :D

[frangoitia]

Yep if you are top four in the Prem... :SMUG: Plus the League cup too, it's just as you would in real life, or the UEFA if your top 6, just the CL name differs... :PIRATE:
But I´m playing a premier league with Liverpool and i´ve never had the chance to play a a game off the Fa Cup or Champions League, or is it that you can play them after the first season ?

[Tim7]

You need to play Manager Mode frangoitia.

[hitmanuk]

The new mode is ok but im still a bit undecided. What spoils it for me is all the assisted people who play. If you are a manual player you have dont have much chance against assisted. Currently Ive played 4 Lost 1 Won 1 and drawn 2 against all assisted people. EA need to sort this out somehow. This is not a dig at assisted people at the end of the day you bought the game so you should play how you want. It does bug though when people think they are something playing as MAN U on fully assisted.

One question I have is when you purchase the game can you use the alternative commentary in the offline manager mode? Also do any of the other features go intothe manager mode like when the name flashes up with a red card or extra celebrations and so on.....

[Placebo]

One question I have is when you purchase the game can you use the alternative commentary in the offline manager mode? Also do any of the other features go intothe manager mode like when the name flashes up with a red card or extra celebrations and so on.....

Sadly no x2

Also noticed the bug where sometimes a player is booked and you don't get told about it is still in UT :(

[hitmanuk]

Thanks for the quick reply on that too bad its negative on both counts :). After playing this although I think its a great addition for some players the assisted/manual controls thing is an issue for me so I don't think ill purchase it and stick to my manual league :)

[StuartCulli]

The new mode is ok but im still a bit undecided. What spoils it for me is all the assisted people who play. If you are a manual player you have dont have much chance against assisted. Currently Ive played 4 Lost 1 Won 1 and drawn 2 against all assisted people. EA need to sort this out somehow. This is not a dig at assisted people at the end of the day you bought the game so you should play how you want. It does bug though when people think they are something playing as MAN U on fully assisted.

One question I have is when you purchase the game can you use the alternative commentary in the offline manager mode? Also do any of the other features go intothe manager mode like when the name flashes up with a red card or extra celebrations and so on.....

I've been playing on Manual passing and if you work it around the field you can really tear apart people who play on assisted.

[YoungGun_UK]

Whats the point of adding a player to your collection? Also if Buy a pack will it replace my current players and how do I now which ones it will replace?

[kevano22]

Collection is stiker book you get like 10-20 points each time u add.

Everyone wants to fill the sticker book! :D

You get to chose who to replace :D

[andish2001]

UT has broken for everyone now it seems. No one can even get into the mode with FIFA just hanging when you go to ultimate team from the menu.

[andish2001]

Ok something major has happened to the gameplay through the UT download, as well as lots of little changes in the interface (check the font in the player bar while playing, and the "accessing" box in the arena when a match is loading) and its BRILLIANT. Ive been playing on professional for ages now in several MM's (anything above has blatant CPU cheats) and something has definitely changed. The AI are SO much smarter not in a CPU cheats way, but in a football intelligence way - the kind they were lacking before. Snappy first time shots and volleys are now way more common (where they should be though, not all the time), the CPU actually tries long shots now (and boy can they hit them :|), they are swinging in early crosses, using clever first touches to their advantage, plus more. The most noticeable thing is that instead of running towards the touchline and getting 'lost' like they used to and start running back along the line, they swing it in in the proper crossing zone now. They are MUCH stronger defensively as well, with defenders anticipating passes better and nipping in front of strikers to reach it, as well as being way more physical when it comes to heading contests or the like, or simply running. On the same difficulty level, in the same manager mode, the CPU are now badgering and pressuring my strikers at every level, pushing them over whereas before I would have breezed right past them. The bug in professional where they seemingly go brain dead and run straight into you with the ball is still present,but much less so. They are even showing desperation, attempting flying headers and the like. Whereas in my custom man utd manager mode (as in, entirely different team from scratch only chose united for old trafford) i was having 20 shots to 3, its now 10 vs 8 or 8 v 9. My two legged UCL tie against bayern has played out brilliantly. (they were the first games i played with this 'update' on). The first match, at allianz, ended 1-1 (before i would have won easily), with bayern snatching a goal at the death. The return leg at old trafford ended 2-2, meaning i was out on away goals. They even took a 2-0 lead (something that has NEVER happened to me on professional before) including a sharp klose volley in a situation where they never would have before. I managed to get level but couldnt find a third.

I implore you all to play some offline matches with the ultimate team installed (note: my UT isnt even working i cant get into it it just freezes on the menu, but these changes still apply) and see if you can see what im seeing.

Its been the best couple of AI matches ive had on any FIFA yet - and back to the days of pes3/4

[Scorpio]

Someone, please give me some advice before I throw my Xbox out the window. I'm getting really pissed off with this now, I'm going to give myself a hemorrhage.



Have you tried putting your mentality to "Ultra defensive" with the old direction buttons? When playing just press left on it twice. Also you can set your defenders arrows to back.

[pboreham]

OMG! UT is superb, I love it - really appeals to me :)

Anyone got anything Southend related, then I NEED NEED NEED!

[jonneymendoza]

i am yet to try UT. do u have to pay for it? i keep hearing about people wanting to purchase something related to UT mode?

if im not mistake, UT mode is like football manager but with cards? how does the card system work? why not just make it like football manager instead of using cards to play it?

umm i gotta try it myself i suppose if its free

[pboreham]

i am yet to try UT. do u have to pay for it? i keep hearing about people wanting to purchase something related to UT mode?

if im not mistake, UT mode is like football manager but with cards? how does the card system work? why not just make it like football manager instead of using cards to play it?

umm i gotta try it myself i suppose if its free

Firstly, its not free - 800 points on 360 (around 4.99 on PS3??).

But you can get a 5 match trial before having to pay.

Basically, you have to build up your 'Ultimate Team' using player cards (think Pannini Stickers!) brought using 'Coins' won by playing matches.

You create a new team and a BAP style captain that will be the best player.

There are LOADS of options that make it more complex - like loads of different types of card (players, managers, coaching, kits, stadiums, training, contracts, special power ups for in games etc) and laying your cards out in the formation allows you to work on your team chemistry (i.e. play players of the same nationality near one another to get a boost etc).

The matches are played out in FIFA with points awarded after the game for skill and coins depending on the result, skill level, home or away etc.

Between matches, you can buy bronze, silver or gold card packs with your coins (or for real money in XBL) each pack level containing better cards. I.e. bronze packs are lower league players and gold are like Ronaldo, Gerrard etc.

You can then trade cards you dont want in a virtual marketplace with other people - ebay style with a start price and a buy it now price to build up your team further.

Aaaaalso, you get a virtual sticker book for cards you dont need or dont want to trade. Pretty much everything in FIFA 09 has a card - so players, kits, boots etc can go in your sticker book. Fill a page (a team for example) and you get loads of coins. Fill all the teams in that league for even more coins... fill all the leagues in that country... well, you get the idea.

Its just massive and really addictive! The feeling of getting a shit deck of cards is just like 20 years ago when you'd get a rubbish 10p pack from the corner shop :LOL:

===

Oh, and there are video tutorials showing you how to play and new commentary for the matches from Tyldesley and Beaky Townsend.

[Placebo]

Ok something major has happened to the gameplay through the UT download, as well as lots of little changes in the interface (check the font in the player bar while playing, and the "accessing" box in the arena when a match is loading) and its BRILLIANT. Ive been playing on professional for ages now in several MM's (anything above has blatant CPU cheats) and something has definitely changed. The AI are SO much smarter not in a CPU cheats way, but in a football intelligence way - the kind they were lacking before. Snappy first time shots and volleys are now way more common (where they should be though, not all the time), the CPU actually tries long shots now (and boy can they hit them :|), they are swinging in early crosses, using clever first touches to their advantage, plus more. The most noticeable thing is that instead of running towards the touchline and getting 'lost' like they used to and start running back along the line, they swing it in in the proper crossing zone now. They are MUCH stronger defensively as well, with defenders anticipating passes better and nipping in front of strikers to reach it, as well as being way more physical when it comes to heading contests or the like, or simply running. On the same difficulty level, in the same manager mode, the CPU are now badgering and pressuring my strikers at every level, pushing them over whereas before I would have breezed right past them. The bug in professional where they seemingly go brain dead and run straight into you with the ball is still present,but much less so. They are even showing desperation, attempting flying headers and the like. Whereas in my custom man utd manager mode (as in, entirely different team from scratch only chose united for old trafford) i was having 20 shots to 3, its now 10 vs 8 or 8 v 9. My two legged UCL tie against bayern has played out brilliantly. (they were the first games i played with this 'update' on). The first match, at allianz, ended 1-1 (before i would have won easily), with bayern snatching a goal at the death. The return leg at old trafford ended 2-2, meaning i was out on away goals. They even took a 2-0 lead (something that has NEVER happened to me on professional before) including a sharp klose volley in a situation where they never would have before. I managed to get level but couldnt find a third.


Please break up sentences, that was horrible to read, are you saying UT's improved gameplay has made it into MM for you? Weird I'm not seeing that myself, would have been very happy if it were the case as it's hard playing UT then going back to the old AI in MM :(

Paul if I see anything Southend I'll let you know, after all the Sheff Wednesday kit/badge/players myself.

Anyone got a new ball yet? I hate the default ball :(

[Placebo]

Latest Update:
Sunday March 22, 23:15 PST / Monday March 23, 06:15 GMT

The 360 game has been redeployed and is now up and running.

The redeployment contains just the trading optimisation.

A further fix has not been deployed as we want to get more time testing it. Code has been written so that queries sent to the database that will time out before being processed will not be sent. So this will result in error pop-ups during busy times, but should make the experience faster for successful queries.

End of update

http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/fifa-09-ultimate-team/401312-latest-ultimate-team-updates-installation-assistance.html

There's also a bunch of info about the current problems and what can be done so worth reading.

[andish2001]

Please break up sentences, that was horrible to read, are you saying UT's improved gameplay has made it into MM for you? Weird I'm not seeing that myself, would have been very happy if it were the case as it's hard playing UT then going back to the old AI in MM :(

Paul if I see anything Southend I'll let you know, after all the Sheff Wednesday kit/badge/players myself.

Anyone got a new ball yet? I hate the default ball :(

Haha sorry mate - I was excited.

Yeh I can confirm now that my UT is working again its the same gameplay thats gone into my MM and exhibition modes.

Lovin' it. My brother can see the difference in the AI as well, its not just me

[Placebo]

Weird, I shall have to try an MM match again to see if it's the same, shame we can't also choose the new commentary, I like Tyler/Gray but being able to switch it up would be nice, one for home the other for away would be perfect!

[Placebo]

Just saw this on the EA forums.......

http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/AutoMerged/SDC11755.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/AutoMerged/SDC11760.jpg
http://i298.photobucket.com/albums/mm276/AutoMerged/SDC11758.jpg

Maybe taking things a bit too far........

[pboreham]

Please break up sentences, that was horrible to read, are you saying UT's improved gameplay has made it into MM for you? Weird I'm not seeing that myself, would have been very happy if it were the case as it's hard playing UT then going back to the old AI in MM :(

Paul if I see anything Southend I'll let you know, after all the Sheff Wednesday kit/badge/players myself.

Anyone got a new ball yet? I hate the default ball :(

Cheers - and thanks for the update link. Not had many probs with UT myself (though my created player disappeared today, but going in and out of edit mode brought him back).

Know what you mean about the ball - must be cards for new ones?

[andish2001]

ROFL at the rutter card haha

[kevano22]

Best way to find each others cards for sale folks is: -

Post here with what you are selling the price you are looking to get.

We can then search for this player by narrowing down his club, price and rating and we can find your player :)

They do it on the FIFA forums and it works a treat.

If you search properly there are some REAL bargains out there!!!

Best thing is though, you have to buy players who fit your team and not just buy great players for the sake of it becauase team chemistry is V important :)

Makes for 10x more exciting games

[CW]

Do you want to start a new thread for that then Kev so that the card trades don't get lost amongst the rest of the FIFA chat?

[Placebo]

Post here with what you are selling the price you are looking to get.


Great idea, wrong place, IMO we should start up a trading thread instead, this thread should be kept to purely Fifa/UT talk in terms of gameplay/bugs/lag etc, in fact I'll go knock up a trading thread right now!

[pboreham]

I'm just selling a load of shite at the moment as I only have bronze players.

I thought it was worth putting them up for sale as some fans of lower league clubs might want them - the same as I have put bids in for Southend player cards for now - till I get the Gerrards and Rooneys!

[pboreham]

Good idea you two!

[Placebo]

I've got the Norwich keeper right now who's probably worth something to a Norwich fan, just trying to get all the Sheffield Wednesday players myself but it'll take time, saw a couple of bargains, Simek at 250 buy now, Tudgay at 600 buy now, I didn't have the coin so went to play a match, when I came back they'd both gone!

http://forums.evo-web.co.uk/showthread.php?t=52657

Trading thread :)

[pboreham]

Just loaded up UT again for Placebo and my created player has gone AGAIN and couldnt get him back this time by going into 'Edit Player'

Ball bags :(

[Placebo]

Damn that's shit, every time I load the game he's gone but when going into edit player I just have to press start then start again to save and he's always back.

[andish2001]

im concerned about where this mode goes - once you inevitably get a team full of riberys and rooneys, what then?

since their contracts run out pretty quickly you end up just cycling through all the ibras, gerrards, alonsos and maloudas for the rest of the game. :|

I know some people want to win the online tournaments but i hate online because of the assisted twats so really whats the point? I might have fun getting there (the fun for me will be predominantly silver players from the bundesliga or something), but really is there a point to it at all in the end?

[Tim7]

I have 2 unlocked balls but don't know how to use them in my matches!!! I have the adidas Teamgeist and the Championship Mitre football. I'm guessing it might be that I have to play an offline match in UT against the CPU and choose the ball type before kick off there and it will stick for online games?

[beachryan]

So I've been trying to read up and get a better understanding, but could anyone who is playing it explain somethign to me? The UT mode - can it be played offline? Or is the only way to get new 'cards' to play online and trade?

And if you can play it offline, is there any noticeable difference in the gameplay between it and, say, Manager Mode?

I can't stand the cheating online, and am truly tired of the often rubbish CPU 'cheats' or ignoring of stats in manager mode - would you recommend UT as something worth playing?

[Tim7]

You can play it offline and earn coins to buy packs yes :YES:.

[Placebo]

is there any noticeable difference in the gameplay between it and, say, Manager Mode?


Absolutely, AI have been tweaked quite a bit, I play MM on Professional (all manual) and UT on Professional is much tougher, without them resorting to cheating, they adjust to your tactics and play different strategies and you have to adjust your tactics to counteract, really enjoyable for me.

[shorty alien]

I know some people want to win the online tournaments but i hate online because of the assisted twats so really whats the point?

I'm exactly the same. I play on all manual and can't really enjoy online because of the ease of assisted controls. I'd rather play manual players but they are few and far between. The UT sounds interesting to begin with, but if i'm just still playing all assisted zombies then it's meaningless.

[beachryan]

Absolutely, AI have been tweaked quite a bit, I play MM on Professional (all manual) and UT on Professional is much tougher, without them resorting to cheating, they adjust to your tactics and play different strategies and you have to adjust your tactics to counteract, really enjoyable for me.

Brilliant, that's me too (cept shooting, can't handle that on manual) and I was getting so bored of the computer consistently resorting to its, erm, cheaper tactics to win important games. Shall happily give it a go now, thanks for the advice!

[Placebo]

Well due to the increased challenge of UT I turned shooting back onto semi, left short passing on manual as it's really useful for playing balls much more accurately than semi, I noticed that semi short passing your passes either go to the player you want it to, or they go to the opponent, 100% like that, with manual they either go to the player you want, or the opponent, or a different player of yours (as in real life) so it works out better for me :) Also useful for shooting low by using manual passing at goal instead of shooting ;)

[Placebo]

My created player vanished again and didn't come back in the edit player part, so I just created him again exactly the same and he then appeared back with the stats as before, appearances and goals and the like, and also with the 4 game injury he got in the last match, is it me or does the created player always get injured?

[Chris Davies]

Just switched it on now and one of my defenders is now called "Cataa D[x]", Rosicky is now called "Rosick?"...

Also, I have Gordon Strachan (gold manager) and I still can't use any custom formations. Is it ever allowed?

[Nick Cave]

Absolutely, AI have been tweaked quite a bit, I play MM on Professional (all manual) and UT on Professional is much tougher, without them resorting to cheating, they adjust to your tactics and play different strategies and you have to adjust your tactics to counteract, really enjoyable for me.

:SHOCK: Ohhh I hope it's a sign of things to come but I can't believe the no cheating bit... :P

[StuartCulli]

Beat someone's 3 star team (my 2 star team) 4-0 in the first round of the first online tourney. He quit when I made it 4. Currently 3-0 up at half-time to a 3 star team in online league. Resting players who's contracts are running out. Got a 60+ team chemistry :)

EDIT: Control settings:

Passing: Manual
Through ball: Manual
Shooting: Semi
Crossing: Semi
Long balls: Manual

:)

[Coopz]

So players only run out of contracts if they play?

[StuartCulli]

Yeah I think that's how it works Coopz mate :)

League game finished 5-0. Credit to him for not quitting.

[YoungGun_UK]

Contracts should be longer :((

[pboreham]

So players only run out of contracts if they play?

Yea, each match takes 1 contract point - you get warned at the start of a match that if a player is playing his last game.

Bit of a bug though as I started a game, then quit to make settings changes and it took 3 players down to their last games :(

[pboreham]

Contracts should be longer :((

Probably, but I've brought 4 packs of bronze cards so far and have about 30000 contract cards :LOL:

[StuartCulli]

This game has pissed me off. First time I've ever felt like I've been up against an assisted cunt. And his goal (it's 1-0 at half-time) was a kick out my keeper's hands that hit the back of his striker and looped over my keepers head. :BLINK: He was also just using that 'LB + pass' tactic every pass, so his player would run on all the time.

Good job I equalised and we drew 1-1 otherwise I'd be pissed off :BOP:

[Scorpio]

League game finished 5-0. Credit to him for not quitting.

EA did a good job with this. When somenone quits a game he won't get ANY coins but if he finishes the game, he'll get his coins even after losing.

[YoungGun_UK]

WOOOO! Just beat a 5 Star team with my 3 Star team. He had every top player in the game FFS?!

Also Semi/Manual :))

I've come to realise theres no way you can get gold packs unless you actually buy them, If you try and save up you'll surely lose all your players.

[Chris Davies]

For the first time ever I've managed to reach the semi-final of a FIFA online cup. OH THE EXCITEMENT.

Really annoying though that it's the first cup, the most basic cup of the lot, and it's full of 5-star teams. You can't play with a normal team, everybody's buying gold packs so you HAVE to buy at least one to be able to compete at their level. And now that I am at their level (well, 4-star), I feel like I've acheived nothing to get there.

Poor system, they should have made it so only a certain star-level can play in certain tournaments. I assumed they would have done that with the other restrictions that are there (skill point restrictions) but apparently not. Really disappointing; where's the sense of achievement in being a 5-star team within days of buying the DLC?

[Placebo]

The way I look at it, we've effectively just launched an MMO, so there's a lot of learning going on at EA towers

http://twitter.com/EARom

LOL :RANT:

[Placebo]

Servers fucked yet again?

[Chris Davies]

Just going on it now, let's see...

I hope not, was planning on playing my semi-final.

[Placebo]

Latest Update:
Monday March 23, 12:00pm PDT / Monday March 23, 7:00pm GMT

We performed a database update on the 360 about 15 mins ago. The upgrade was performed to increase database stability and performance. At this time, however, we have also noticed that users may be experiencing issues buying cards and getting search results in the card trading area.

We are aware of these issues and I'm working with the QA team to come up with a solution asap. I'll post another update in an hour.

Thanks.


End of update

http://forums.electronicarts.co.uk/fifa-09-ultimate-team/401312-latest-ultimate-team-updates-installation-assistance.html

[Chris Davies]

Looked like the servers were down, I had to click the "SIGN INTO EA" menu item that comes up when it can't automatically connect you, but I've got into it now.

Loading speed is the same as it's always been for me, a second or two between each card, and I've still got players with [X] in their name ("Cata D[X]" for example, and "Rosicky" is still called "Rosick?"). Don't see any difference. ARGHHHHH, it's driving me mad.

EDIT 1: UH-OHHH.

Just went to check my trades, and I'm getting the *SearchForOwnTradesFailure error.

EDIT 2: Sat here ten minutes trying to get a game, I'm 4-star so I'm stuck in the middle. You either get a 3-and-a-half star team who quit out, or a 5-star team that makes me quit out (you don't know how many superstars they've got, not much fun playing against Ronaldo Messi Kaka etc. all in the same team)...